How I Explored Iceland’s Impressive Vegan-Friendly Food Scene
Iceland exceeded my expectations based on its culinary prowess alone. From inspired craft cocktails to delicate desserts, we had some of the best plant-based meals of our lives on this trip.
Reykjavik, Iceland, December 27th, 2024 — When you think of Iceland, you might think of volcanoes, glaciers, puffins and Viking lore. Vegan cuisine likely doesn’t even make the list. However, you’d be wrong in thinking that the Nordic island lacks plant-based options for vegan travelers.
Iceland wasn’t necessarily on my bucket list until I saw a vegan tour advertised on a food blogger’s page. Content creator and hostess extraordinaire Lauren Boehme of Rabbit and Wolves’ fame was leading a July, 2024 vegan tour via TrovaTrip — and there were only two spots left. My husband said, “If we don’t do this, I think we’ll regret it.” So, after a day or so of deliberation, we decided to give it a go. As fate would have it, we secured the last two spots. We were on our way to experience a new land and its culture, with the added perk of traveling with people who share our values of compassion to all beings.
Our journey began at Reykjavik airport, where we met our fellow trip-goers. I felt it was a good omen, as the airport cafe had an oat milk carton out alongside the traditional creamer. Ahhh……at last, a place where veganism isn’t an afterthought.
Our fellow tour-goers came from all around the United States, some as far as Los Angeles. There seemed to be an instant bond due in large part to our shared lifestyle and ethos. Ten of the 12 of us identified as vegan. Everyone seemed to get along great and we were all sad to part at the end of the 6-day tour.
We had a local (non-vegan) guide, Arni, who was knowledgeable and advocated for us. He drove us around the island in search of the best vegan fare, interspersed with plenty of excursions like a glacier hike and a visit to waterfalls so visually stunning they make you re-evaluate your life.
To be clear, the tour was not predicated on patronizing vegan restaurants. In fact, only one establishment we visited had an entirely vegan menu. Most of the places were hotel restaurants that prepared special menus for our group. I must say the dishes were more than the bland pasta you might find as a vegan option at an American hotel. Ranging from a mushroom “beef” Wellington to house-made veggie burgers and fries, we experienced a wide range of cuisines and price points.
Our journey took us everywhere from grocery stores to swanky hotel restaurants and roadside holes in the wall. The common theme was that the natives were informed about what constitutes a vegan lifestyle and how to accommodate us. Even in the most remote locations, they always had a vegan option. It was a nice diversion from our Midwest baseline where often the sole vegan option is a boring, tasteless salad or French fries. However, I must give credit when credit is due. My hometown of Fort Wayne, Indiana boosts an impressive Vegan Restaurant Month.
It helps that veganism isn’t exactly foreign to Icelanders. Even in rural areas, you will find small markets and gas stations that have unassuming plant-based options. Rest assured you won’t go hungry, even if you have to survive on vegan yogurt alone.
The overarching theme was that Iceland exceeded my expectations based on the culinary prowess alone. From inspired craft cocktails to delicate desserts, we had some of the best meals of our lives on this trip.
Iceland might seem like a land of contradictions. After all, their diet is rich in seafood and red meat, but there’s also a progressive movement that eschews animal products entirely. And according to the creator of the Vegan Iceland app, just one of Iceland’s vegan Facebook groups has more than 22,000 members. That affirms the Vegan Society’s findings— it translates to about 6.5 percent of the country’s population.
I would encourage anyone on the fence to give Iceland a chance. Between the breathtaking beauty and the food, you really can’t go wrong. My regret is that we only got to visit one completely vegan restaurant there – Loving Hut. It brought an element of comfort and familiarity, as the chain is part of a global network of vegan restaurants. UnchainedTV’s founder, Jane Velez-Mitchell, was even featured on the wall. It’s a small world, after all! Next time, I’d like to patronize Mama in Reykjavik and other gems.
Until the next time, Iceland!
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